The Maldives goes way beyond the honeymoon. Snorkeling, sports, art and adventure excite the child in everyone. Boring transfers are a myth. At Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi, the fun begins before you touch the sand, thanks to our airport greeters and private transfer yacht.
On arrival, the first Maldives family activity is to cycle down a sandy track — or ride a golf buggy — to your luxury villa with private pool. Babysitters, kids’ club staff and private concierges are always present at our luxury family resort in the Maldives. The top things to do in the Maldives with family, from toddlers to teens, are right here.
Journey to a Maldives Paradise in a Private Yacht
The private transfer to Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi is a joyous family occasion. Fun time starts the moment kids embark on our private yacht. Children can snooze in an ensuite cabin, use the WiFi to download games, or spot sea life during the 45-minute cruise. Unlike seaplanes, our luxury yacht operates 24/7. This is the most family-friendly way to arrive in the Maldives.
Ocean Adventures for Children of Different Ages and Confidence Levels
Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi is a private-island resort designed for multigenerational travel, offering some of the best things to do in the Maldives with kids. Families can enjoy bespoke excursions with expert guidance, such as joining our glass-bottom boat tour to spot colorful parrotfish and hawksbill turtles patrolling the reef, or sailing further out into the deep blue with a dolphin discovery cruise to see spinner dolphins leaping gracefully above the Indian Ocean.
Gentle Lagoon Waters for Toddlers & Little Ones
Younger children can spend time with their parents along the island’s sandy shoreline and calmer lagoon areas, subject to daily sea conditions. A glass-bottom boat tour offers another way to discover the marine world without entering the water, making it particularly suitable for younger guests and first-time ocean explorers.
Scuba Introductions for Young Explorers (Ages 8+)
School-aged children can take their first underwater steps through the PADI Bubblemaker program. Under expert supervision, kids aged 8 and over learn basic scuba skills and experience the weightlessness of diving in a safe, shallow environment capped at a 2-meter depth limit.
Things to Do in the Maldives With Teenagers
Are teens the world’s most demanding customers? Fear not. The 2026 experience at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi offers family-friendly adventures beyond beach villas, from marine discovery to creative play.
From DJ sets and mocktail workshops to paddle tennis and curated Spotify sessions, our 30 personal concierges ensure even the most “demanding” young adults find their rhythm.
Still not satisfied? Let them “fly” above the lagoon on an X-Jetblade and hear them whoop with joy on a hydroflight.
The Stars Club: A Destination Within a Destination
Stars Club makes a Maldives holiday with kids a stress-free experience. Parents can entrust their children to experienced staff at one of the largest dedicated kids’ clubs in the Maldives. Stars Club is a destination for education, not just entertainment. Little ones can learn about island ecology and marine diversity — before diving into a children-only water park with splash pads, one of the most popular family attractions on the island. The Kids’ Concierge creates bespoke daily schedules including rock painting, dance competitions and treasure hunts in the golden sand.
Family Dining: From Michelin-starred Chefs to Pizza Poolsides
Three words: spoilt for choice. From barefoot bars to poolside pizzas, Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi has 11 world class dining venues to choose from.
At The Ledge by Dave Pynt, while parents savor the wood-fired flavors of a Michelin-starred barbecue menu, kids can enjoy gourmet char-grilled burgers and lobster rolls.
On the other side of the island, Amber specialises in Maldivian sunsets with Korean fried chicken.
A favorite for young adults – Zuma, offering A-grade sushi and world-renowned Wagyu tenderloin.
A dining experience that adults and kids can share in the Maldives is Nava. Pool tables and paddleboards are situated beside the warm sea. Even the fussiest eater can indulge in sourdough sandwiches and flame-roasted wings.
Space to Breathe: Choosing Your Family Villa
The Maldives is custom-made for families, not just couples.
When tailoring your Maldives family vacation experiences, our oceanfront Beach Villas are perfect for young families thanks to direct beach access and gated safety.
Our Maldives Reef Villas are a hybrid between land and sea, with hammocks overlooking the tropical ocean and quick access to a coral reef.
All 117 villas host private pools, which rank among the largest in the Maldives. Each villa is connected to beaches, restaurants and our brilliant kids’ club via a 3.5km-long boardwalk. Keep an eye out for the local Maldivian kanbili (waterhen) birds that often race guests to the breakfast table!
The Ultimate Maldives Family Resort With Kids
The Waldorf isn’t just a multiple award-winning destination. It’s a seamless family resort that offers the most complete parental experience in the Maldives. Authenticity is everywhere. Kids will be delighted to see staff climbing a tree to harvest fresh coconuts, or welcoming Maldivian fishers with the daily seafood catch. Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi is one of the best places to stay in the Maldives with family. Begin making memories today.
